Mortgages with NHS bank or agency hours
The problem with variable NHS pay
If you're buying your first home
Variable income does not have to be a barrier. We average your NHS bank and agency earnings over 12 months, so regular shifts count toward what you can borrow, not just your contracted hours.
If you’re remortgaging
If your income has changed since you first bought — a new trust, more bank shifts, a band change — we’ll reassess based on what you’re earning now, not what’s on an old contract.
Common scenarios we can help with
NHS bank worker mortgage — variable hours averaged over two years
Agency nurse or locum doctor buying for the first time
NHS employee remortgaging after a band change or new trust
Joint mortgage where one applicant earns NHS bank pay
How we assess NHS bank and agency income
We look at your payslips or bank statements covering the last 12 months. If your bank hours are consistent, even if they vary week to week, we can average them and include that figure in your affordability calculation. The same applies to agency shifts, overtime, and on-call payments.
If you work across more than one NHS trust, or a mix of employed and agency work, we’ll look at the full picture. We ask for supporting documents including payslips and P60. A real person reviews your case.
How we can help you to buy if you're on bank or agency hours
Human decisions
Bank hours counted
Repayments from your salary
No arrangement fees or overpayment charges
How it works
Speak to us
Decision in principle
Full application
Completion
Why choose London Mutual?
Member-owned – a financial co-operative run for the benefit of our 42,397 members, not for profit.
Community roots – serving our communities in South London for over 40 years, and with several NHS Trusts for almost as long.
Links with NHS employers – we work directly with NHS trusts across London, and thousands of NHS staff are already members.
Safe & regulated – Authorised by the FCA, with members’ savings protected up to £120,000.
Next steps
Book a call with a mortgage advisor
Get a decision in principle
Mortgage FAQs for NHS bank workers
Do you count NHS bank hours toward affordability?
Yes. We average your bank shifts over the past 24 months and include them alongside your contracted pay when assessing how much you can borrow.
What documents do I need for a variable income mortgage?
Typically payslips from each employer or trust you work with, plus your most recent P60. If you work via an agency, we may also ask for agency pay summaries.
I work for more than one NHS trust. Is that a problem?
No. We can accept income from multiple NHS employers. We look at your total earnings over 12 months, not just income from a single source.
Can agency nurses or locum doctors apply?
Yes. We assess agency and locum income on the same basis — 12-month average — provided you have a consistent earnings history to evidence it.
Are there any arrangement fees?
No. We don’t charge arrangement or early repayment fees. The rate you’re quoted is the rate you pay.
Do I need to be an LMCU member already?
You’ll need to meet our membership criteria, which includes living or working in one of our London boroughs, or working for one of our employer partners.
Do I need to work for one of your listed NHS employer partners to apply?
No. If you work for one of our NHS employer partners — Guy’s and St Thomas‘, King’s College Hospital, Royal Free London, or London Ambulance Service — you’ll have the option of making repayments straight from your salary. But if you work for any other NHS trust and meet our membership criteria, you can still join and apply for a mortgage with us.